Most antibiotics are constructed chemical compounds designed to combat and destroy pathogenic microorganisms (bacteria). However, with the rising resistance to modern antibiotics, more people are seeking natural antibiotic remedies.

For the milder infections, such as a toothache or inflammation,  chances are you already have the resources in your kitchen to combat them. Although pain can be alleviated,  the list below has the capacity to fully heal infections.

Honey

Honey is the number one natural antibacterial agent that Mother Nature has kindly produced. Used for thousands of years in cultures throughout the world, honey’s healing properties have cured many skin infections and ailments.

Scientifically proven, honey’s health benefits can combat rashes, burns, and abrasions, and can heal bleeding gums, ulcers, and blisters. This is because of a specific protein called defensin-1, added by the bees to honey and honeycomb. Defensin-1 is a powerful agent against superbugs—the bacteria resistant to synthetic antibiotics.

It is vital to choose the right type of honey. Darker honey types have stronger antibacterial qualities than light ones. The honey must be raw and not pasteurised, too. Manuka honey from New Zealand is one of the more active antibacterial honeys.

Sage

Sage is a common household plant and one that has been used since the ages of Hippocrates.

As an alternative antibiotic, sage can treat respiratory infections, throat and mouth infections, and is useful in relieving gastric disease symptoms. Sage also reduces fever and body aches common with a cold or influenza.

The ancient cultures believed sage to be the key to a long life. Because of its medicinal properties, sage is a common natural ingredient in many modern alternative medicines.

Cinnamon

Those in Chinese medicine use cinnamon to clear congestion and boost circulation. A study conducted by surgeons showed cinnamon to be an effective antibiotic against bacteria resistant to modern treatment.

Erdogan Ceylan, the head researcher of a study on cinnamon’s healing properties, found that just one teaspoon of cinnamon killed 99.5 percent of E. coli bacteria infecting apple juice. The E. coli that Ceylan added to the juice was 100 times greater than those found in contaminated food. Ceylan also studied the medical benefits of garlic, mustard, onion and oregano.

Garlic

Garlic is ranked right beside honey as one of Mother Nature’s number one natural antibiotics. Dating back to the Black Plague in Europe, gravediggers drank wine with crushed garlic as a preventative measure against the disease.

Garlic was also used in both world wars as a preventative measure against gangrene, and the ancient Egyptians documented garlic as a remedy against disease.

Garlic’s antibacterial properties come from Allicin, an organic compound that fights bacterial and fungal infections. This is the same compound that helps fight and cure toothache (it requires direct application), earache, throat infections and the common cold.

Clove

Clove oil is a powerful oral antiseptic still used by dentists when disinfecting root canals. The scent we all associate with dental surgeries comes from Eugenol, an antimicrobial compound found in cloves.

Clove oil is the most useful form, killing several kinds of bacteria, virus and fungi. If you need to ease a toothache, chew cloves for a few minutes and the pain may disappear completely within two hours.

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